The case for keeping Hazel so that Jennings is available to trade now or in season

[caneaddict]

Philbin loves Jennings and wishes he brought him in a couple years ago and avoided the maturation issues of our previous receivers. However, since signing Jennings to his 2 year deal, much has changed for the Phins. We've acquired Stills, spent a 1st on Devante and Rishard has stepped up his game considerably.

Jennings contract is a huge factor in this. We paid him a $3MM signing bonus and he has a base of $900k this year. Next year he is due another $4MM. Given all of our investments in the position I don't see any scenario where they keep Jennings next year for an additional $4MM (his cap hit would be $5.5MM because half his initial signing bonus counts next year). You don't pay $4MM to a 33 year old WR3/4 (even if he would be a WR2 anywhere else). That means Jennings is going to be a one and done player for the Phins. For $4MM this year we bought ourselves insurance with a proven vet at WR and I'm sure he can help us win games this year.

Because of the way Jennings contract is structured his signing bonus is a sunk cost and we will absorb the $3MM cap hit. What remains is $900k base salary. That makes Jennings hugely valuable to any competing team this year that suddenly has a WR injury. As a proven vet that's still only 32, he is basically a plug and play starter with a tiny $900k cap number to the acquiring team. Luckily the Phins are currently relatively healthy but Jennings contract may be exactly what we can use in trade should we experience a serious injury at another position.

We can start conversations now and if someone is really desperate and willing to give up a quality starter then certainly the Phins should consider that. But I just don't see many spots where we have an obvious hole. There are a few positions where we have some promising young players that have yet to prove themselves. I think the best value would be had by using Jennings early in the season while Parker and Stills get acclimated to our offense and Tannehill. Through our bye week, Jennings will probably be our 2nd best WR. At that point we'll have more info on our current WR's and those other possible team holes where we are counting on new or young players. Having Hazel available to take over Jennings spot would make Jennings expendable at that time should we suddenly find a serious hole on our team or another team becomes desperate. But his age, skill, experience and salary make him a very valuable trade asset mid season (think Green Bay / Carolina / the next team to have a WR1 go down with ACL).

 

[uk_dolfan]

Keep both.

 

[oasis]

Even though it's a business and it can be ugly, there's etiquette. You don't trade a guy that you just lured as a FA in the manner that Jennings was...players like Jennings have earned the right to select where they play and that's important to them. I can also bet there's a no trade clause in his contract as well. Tannenbaum and Hickey wouldn't do this, certainly not without Jennings being very cool with it or wanting it.

But aside from that, Jennings adds a veteran presence and maturity that will be so important for keeping the WR room together throughout the trials and tribulations of the season. Stills is already at risk for becoming disgruntled, and Jennings is really the glue that will keep all these guys together and on the same page.

 

[normaldude]

Having Hazel available to take over Jennings spot would make Jennings expendable

Greg Jennings has 8,000 receiving yards, multiple pro bowls, and was his team's #1 leading receiver in the last 2 years (and 5 of the last 7 years).

Roster bubble WR Matt Hazel hasn't even caught a NFL pass yet.

I think it's a stretch to assume that Matt Hazel can just replace Greg Jennings.

 

[caneaddict]

Greg Jennings has 8,000 receiving yards, multiple pro bowls, and was his team's #1 leading receiver in the last 2 years (and 5 of the last 7 years).

Roster bubble WR Matt Hazel hasn't even caught a NFL pass yet.

I think it's a stretch to assume that Matt Hazel can just replace Greg Jennings.

Greg Jennings also puts his team on his back to win games:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1P0yfq2wDvU

But I wasn't intending on replacing Jennings with Hazel. I think by the 2nd half of the season if Parker plays like he showed in Spring and Mathews continues playing solid, Jennings simply won't get enough touches to make a dramatic difference while still having massive value to another playoff bound team. That playoff bound team may be willing to give up someone that would really help us if we find that we have a serious weakness due to someone not developing or injury. Hazel would just give us a decent body for the WR5 position in that eventuality.

 

[finbully]

I didn't read all of that. This is even less likely than all the Earl Mitchell talk. Maybe we cut him next year, but a trade is very, very unlikely.

 

[greasyObnoxious]

Philbin loves Jennings and wishes he brought him in a couple years ago and avoided the maturation issues of our previous receivers. However, since signing Jennings to his 2 year deal, much has changed for the Phins. We've acquired Stills, spent a 1st on Devante and Rishard has stepped up his game considerably.

Jennings contract is a huge factor in this. We paid him a $3MM signing bonus and he has a base of $900k this year. Next year he is due another $4MM. Given all of our investments in the position I don't see any scenario where they keep Jennings next year for an additional $4MM (his cap hit would be $5.5MM because half his initial signing bonus counts next year). You don't pay $4MM to a 33 year old WR3/4 (even if he would be a WR2 anywhere else). That means Jennings is going to be a one and done player for the Phins. For $4MM this year we bought ourselves insurance with a proven vet at WR and I'm sure he can help us win games this year.

Because of the way Jennings contract is structured his signing bonus is a sunk cost and we will absorb the $3MM cap hit. What remains is $900k base salary. That makes Jennings hugely valuable to any competing team this year that suddenly has a WR injury. As a proven vet that's still only 32, he is basically a plug and play starter with a tiny $900k cap number to the acquiring team. Luckily the Phins are currently relatively healthy but Jennings contract may be exactly what we can use in trade should we experience a serious injury at another position.

We can start conversations now and if someone is really desperate and willing to give up a quality starter then certainly the Phins should consider that. But I just don't see many spots where we have an obvious hole. There are a few positions where we have some promising young players that have yet to prove themselves. I think the best value would be had by using Jennings early in the season while Parker and Stills get acclimated to our offense and Tannehill. Through our bye week, Jennings will probably be our 2nd best WR. At that point we'll have more info on our current WR's and those other possible team holes where we are counting on new or young players. Having Hazel available to take over Jennings spot would make Jennings expendable at that time should we suddenly find a serious hole on our team or another team becomes desperate. But his age, skill, experience and salary make him a very valuable trade asset mid season (think Green Bay / Carolina / the next team to have a WR1 go down with ACL).

i see where you come from, but i think it's highly unlikely we'll trade Jennings.

 

[Tannchise]

Jennings has a ton of non monetary value in the locker room. These other Wr's are young and will go through growing pains this year. We have to learn not to get crazy and trade well-depth positions. Injuries happen and you want to build on strengths, not reduce it


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Kdawg954]

I've heard too many good things about the influence of Greg Jennings to even think about him being let go this season. You have a WR group that has 3 years or less of experience from every guy you are thinking of keeping. Jennings is a PERFECT fit to mesh these guys together.

Next year could be a different story, but Jennings is on this roster in 2015 and it would have to go real bad for them to even think about trading him in season.

 

[uk_dolfan]

I've heard too many good things about the influence of Greg Jennings to even think about him being let go this season. You have a WR group that has 3 years or less of experience from every guy you are thinking of keeping. Jennings is a PERFECT fit to mesh these guys together.

Next year could be a different story, but Jennings is on this roster in 2015 and it would have to go real bad for them to even think about trading him in season.

just last week Philbin raved about him and said he wished he had signed him years ago

 

[Montana-phan]

I don't want to get rid of Jennings, but I also don't want to lose Hazel. He has impressed me all offseason and he will not clear waivers and make the practice squad. I think we need to keep 6 WR. Not ideal but the talent is too great.

Matthews will be a FA next year and as mentioned, I think Jennings will be released next offseason. We will surely be missing Hazel at that point if we let him go.

 

[lucid22]

Agree with keeping six this year. I can see us parting ways with Jennings next year depending on if we keep Matthews or not and how Devante Parker develops.

 

[VCU2000]

We aren't trading Jennings. He's a leader and great addition. Hazel is a JAG.

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

 

[phinsphan001]

I personally would cut Hazel and try and sneak him on the practice squad. If he signs elsewhere so be it. He bring very little value to our team. I would rather see us keep Christion Jones or make a play for a legitimate threat at KR/PR. I have seen very little from Lamike James to believe he has earned that spot.

 

[Daytona Fin]